Composite polymer fibers
First Claim
1. An optical body, comprising:
- a polymer matrix;
a plurality of polymer composite fibers disposed within the polymer matrix, at least one of the polymer composite fibers comprising a plurality of scattering fibers of a first polymer material within a filler of a second polymer material different from the first polymer material, the polymer composite fibers being arranged substantially parallel in the polymer matrix, at least one of the polymer matrix, the first polymer material and the second polymer material being birefringent; and
a fiber weave disposed within the polymer matrix, the fiber weave comprising the plurality of polymer composite fibers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A composite polymer fiber comprises a polymer filler material and a plurality of polymer scattering fibers disposed within the filler material. At least one of the filler material and the scattering fibers is formed of a birefringent material. The refractive indices of the filler material and the scattering fibers can be substantially matched for light incident in a first polarization state on the composite polymer fiber and unmatched for light incident in an orthogonal polarization state. The scattering fibers may be arranged to form a photonic crystal within the composite fiber. The composite fibers may be extruded and may be formed into a yarn, a weave or the like. If the filler material is soluble, it may be washed out of the yarn or weave, and the scattering fibers may then be infiltrated with a resin that is subsequently cured.
112 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An optical body, comprising:
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a polymer matrix; a plurality of polymer composite fibers disposed within the polymer matrix, at least one of the polymer composite fibers comprising a plurality of scattering fibers of a first polymer material within a filler of a second polymer material different from the first polymer material, the polymer composite fibers being arranged substantially parallel in the polymer matrix, at least one of the polymer matrix, the first polymer material and the second polymer material being birefringent; and a fiber weave disposed within the polymer matrix, the fiber weave comprising the plurality of polymer composite fibers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An optical body, comprising:
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a polymer matrix comprising at least one structured surface comprising an array of microstructures; and a plurality of polymer composite fibers disposed within the polymer matrix, at least one of the polymer composite fibers comprising a plurality of scattering fibers of a first polymer material within a filler of a second polymer material different from the first polymer material, the polymer composite fibers being arranged substantially parallel in the polymer matrix, at least one of the polymer matrix, the first polymer material and the second polymer material being birefringent. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification